362 HISTORY OF GREECE. Tiribazus, on going up to the Persian court, teems to liave been detained there for the purpose of concerting measures against Evagoras, prince of Salamis in Cyprus, whose revolt from Persia was now on the point of breaking out. But the Persian court coukl not yet be prevailed upon to show any countenance to the propo- sitions of Sparta or of Antalkidas. On the contrary, Struthas, who was sent down to Ionia as temporary substitute for Tiribazus, full of anxiety to avenge the ravages of Agesilaus, acted with vigorous hostility against the Lacedaemonians, and manifested friendly dis- positions towards Athens. Thimbron (of whom we have before heard as first taking the command of the Cyreian army in Asia Minor, after their return from Thrace) received orders again to act as head of the Lacedae- monian forces in Asia against Struthas. The new commander, with an army estimated by Diodorua at eight thousand men, 1 marched from Ephesus into the interior, and began his devastation of the territory dependent on Persia. But his previous command, though he was personally amiable, 2 had been irregular and disor- derly, and it was soon observed that the same defects were now yet more prominent, aggravated by too liberal indulgence in con- vivial pleasures. Aware of his rash, contemptuous, and improvi- dent mode of attack, Struthas laid a snare for him by sending a detachment of cavalry to menace the camp, just when Thimbron had concluded his morning meal in company with the flute-player Thersander, the latter not merely an excellent musician, but possessed of a full measure of Spartan courage. Starting from his tent at the news, Thimbron, with Thersander, waited only to collect the few troops immediately at hand, without even leaving any orders for the remainder, and hastened to repel the assailants ; who gave way easily, and seduced him into a pursuit. Presently Struthas himself, appearing with a numerous and well-arrayed body of cavalry, charged with vigor the disorderly detachment of Thimbron. Both that general and Thersander, bravely fighting, fell among the first ; while the army, deprived of their commandei 1 Diodor. xiv, 99.
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